9:18 am, September 22, 2026
Used car dealers have been warned to check the small print on EV warranties amid concerns that some aftermarket repair plans may not cover the technology fitted to the vehicles they are selling.
Warranty First chief marketing officer Leo Nelson says retailers need to be particularly careful when offering cover on second-hand electric cars, with some warranty products having originally been developed for petrol and diesel vehicles.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Car Dealer Podcast, Nelson warned that simply adapting existing products for EVs could leave gaps in cover, making it vital for dealers to check exactly which components are included.
He said: ‘I think where the aftermarket misses it slightly is that a lot of the products have been originated from being built for a petrol or diesel vehicle, and things have been added as these vehicles have hit the markets and evolved.’
While many EVs benefit from separate manufacturer warranties covering their batteries and traction motors, Nelson said dealers should pay close attention to the aftermarket products covering other parts of the vehicle.
You can listen to the interview in full by clicking play below or watch the video at the bottom of this article.
He added: ‘My guidance on this would be to read very carefully to make sure that if there is a product being put on one of these more modern vehicles that the components that are listed are actually covering the things that are present on that vehicle.’
The warning comes as growing numbers of EVs enter the used car market, bringing different repair requirements for dealers more accustomed to selling petrol and diesel models.
However, Nelson said the expensive high-voltage batteries that often worry used EV buyers are not necessarily the biggest cause for concern when it comes to repair claims.
Instead, Warranty First is seeing more familiar faults involving suspension and steering, alongside problems with EV-specific technology, including charging systems.
Nelson highlighted charge-flap actuators as one example of a component that can fail and leave an electric car unable to charge.
He also warned that the increasing amount of technology fitted to modern vehicles is making some faults harder to diagnose, with problems involving sensors and other electronic components often requiring specialist attention.
With labour costs also rising, dealers need to be aware of the potential expense of repairs when deciding what cover to offer customers buying a used EV.